DE69935308T2 - METHOD FOR STORING AUDIO-CENTERED INFORMATION BY AUDIO FILES AT A HIGHER LEVEL AND FILES FOR PROVIDING AUDIO INFORMATION AT A LOWER LEVEL, AN ARRANGEMENT FOR READING AND / OR STORING SUCH INFORMATION AND A RECORDING CARRIER - Google Patents

Abstract

Audio-centered information is stored on a unitary storage medium through a Table-of-Contents (TOC) mechanism that specifies an actual configuration of various audio items. In particular, in addition to the TOC mechanism a file-based access mechanism is assigned to the audio-centered information by a higher level Audio file. At a next-lower level a mechanism is assigned separately as one or more track-wise organized files indicating exclusively audio items contained in the area, and separately therefrom a comprehensive file indicating audio tracks as well as interposed pause intervals.</PTEXT>

Description

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The The invention relates to a method as in the preamble of claim 1 indicated. The digital storage of audio data on uniform Media such as plates or tapes has found widespread use. If the audio data in several Subunits are subdivided, allows a table of contents (Table of Contents, TOC), in a relatively quick way to the To access information. In general, there is a table of contents at least what has been stored and where it's stored has been to in a device of the type of home player to facilitate access. Such audio signals can be used in an environment of personal computers and the like, where different advanced features are applied. An audio provider wishes possibly the information on platforms of different complexity levels accessible at any time.

The European patent application EP 676 761 A1 discloses a method for managing recorded information on a recording medium. The management of a first area (Extent Area) is performed in first allocation units (Allocation Blocks) by using First Volume Management (Volume Space Bitmap), and the management of a second area (Volume Management Area) becomes second Allocation units (management blocks, management blocks) performed by using second management information (management table). It is caused that the allocation units of both the first and the second area are subject to independent management. However, only one type of management information is available for the same area.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

As a result, It is inter alia an object of the present invention to provide various To enable types of efficient audio management that are compatible accessibility for players as well as for PCs guaranteed. Therefore, the invention is according to a their aspects according to the characterizing Part of claim 1 characterized. Due to the file structure of the The latter also includes the pauses between audio tracks. A computer that accesses individual tracks can not do this only do it by driving the actual audio data through the track files, but instead over the comprehensive file. The invention also relates to a disk-shaped storage medium of optically readable type and means for reading such Medium. Further advantageous aspects of the invention are in the dependent claims specified.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING

These and other aspects and advantages of the invention will become apparent below with reference to the disclosure of preferred embodiments and in particular with reference to the attached figures in more detail explained. Show it:

1a . 1b a record carrier;

2 a player;

3 a recording device;

4 a file system for use with the invention;

5 a memory arrangement for the invention;

6 a detailed track organization.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

1a shows a disc-shaped record carrier 11 with a central bore 10 and a physical track 19 which is arranged in a spiral pattern of turns so that substantially parallel structures are formed on an information layer. The carrier may be an optical disc having a recordable or a prescribed information layer. CD-R, CD-RW and DVD-RAM are writable; An audio CD is described above. Above-described plates can be produced by first describing a master plate and then later copying copies. The physical trace 19 is designated by a pre-stamped physical structure. The physical track can be a pregroove (toe-in) 14 to allow a read / write head to follow during scanning. The information is recorded on the information layer by means of optically recognizable markings along the physical track, eg pits and lands.

1b is a cross section along the line BB of a recordable carrier 11 , wherein a transparent substrate 15 a recording layer 16 and a protective layer 17 wearing. The pregroove 14 may be realized as a depression, an elevation, or as a material property that deviates from its environment.

In the interest of user friendliness wur dividing the audio information on the carrier into pieces, which often have a duration of a few minutes, eg songs of an album or sentences of a symphony; These are referred to below as (logical) tracks, unlike the physical track of 1 , The carrier often contains access information for identifying the pieces, such as a table of contents (TOC) contained in a file system, such as ISO 9660 for CD-ROM. The access information may include play time, start address, and song title for each piece.

The Audio information is displayed in a digital representation after a Analog-to-digital conversion recorded. Examples of A / D conversion are PCM (Pulse Code Modulation) with 16 bits per sample at 44.1 kHz, known from audio CDs, and 1 bit sigma-delta modulation at a high level Oversampling rate, e.g. 64 × Fs, Called Bitstream. The latter, a high quality method allows to distinguish between a high quality decoding and a Low quality decoding to choose. In this regard, will be on the publications "A digital decimating filter for analog-to-digital conversion of hi-fi audio signals "by J. J. van der Came, document D5 below, and "A higher or topology for interpolative modulators for oversampling A / D converters "by Kirk C.H. Chao et al., Document D6, directed. After the A / D conversion can the digital audio data for compresses the recording into variable bitrate audio become. The compressed audio data will then be with one Speed of the carrier read that after decompression essentially the original one time scale is restored when the audio information is continuous be reproduced. That is why the compressed data from the carrier be read at a speed different from that of Bit rate dependent is. The data is taken from the record carrier at a so-called transfer speed read out, i. the speed of transfer of data bytes from the carrier to a decompressor. The record carrier can be a constant spatial Have data density, so that the highest data storage density achieved becomes. In such a system, the transfer speed is proportional to the relative linear velocity between the medium and the Read-write head.

2 shows a playback device for reading a carrier 11 from the in 1 type shown. The device has drive means 21 on to the wearer 11 to rotate, and a read head 22 for scanning the physical track. positioning means 25 cause a rough radial positioning of the reading head 22 , The read head includes a known optical system having a radiation source for generating a beam 24 which passed through optical elements and to a point 23 is focused on an information layer. The read head further includes a focusing actuator for moving the focus of the radiation 24 along the optical axis of the beam and a tracking actuator (tracking actuator) for fine positioning of the point 23 in a radial direction at the center of the physical track. This actuator may include coils to move an optical element, or may be arranged to change the angle of a reflective element. The radiation reflected by the information layer is detected by a known detector in the read head 22 , eg, a four-quadrant diode, is detected to generate a read signal and other detector signals, including tracking error and focus error signals for the tracking or focusing actuator. To read out the data, the read signal is read by means of reading 27 which may include a channel demodulator and an error corrector. The data read out become data selection means 28 sent to the compressed audio data for feeding into the buffer 29 select. The selection is based on data type indicators also recorded on the carrier, eg headers in a frame format. From the buffer 29 The compressed audio data is a signal 30 to a decompressor 31 Posted. This signal can also be output to an external decompressor. The decompressor 31 Restores the original audio information from the compressed audio data and outputs it at the output 32 out. The decompressor can be as in 2 in a stand-alone audio digital-to-analog converter 33 high quality. Instead, the buffer may also be arranged in front of the data selection means. The buffer 29 can be housed in a separate housing, or it can be combined with a buffer in the compressor De. The device further comprises a control unit 20 for receiving control commands from a user or from a host computer, not shown, via control lines 26 with the drive means 21 , the positioning means 25 , the reading means 27 and the data selection means 28 connected, and possibly also with the buffer 29 for level control. For this purpose, the control unit 20 include digital control circuits.

The technique of audio compression and decompression is known. After digitizing, audio data can be compressed by analyzing the correlation in the signal and generating parameters for fragments of a specified size. During decompression, the inverse process is used to restore the original signal. If the original digitized signal is exactly restored, is lossless (de) compression, while lossy (de) compression does not reproduce certain details of the original signal, but which are substantially imperceptible to the human ear or eye. Most known audio and video systems, such as MPEG, use lossy compression while lossless compression is used for computer data. Examples of audio (de) compression can be found in documents D2, D3 and D4 below.

The data selection means 28 From the read data, retrieve control information indicating the transfer speed profile, and discard any filling data added during recording according to the speed profile. If the control unit 20 an audio piece from the carrier must play, position the positioning means 25 the read head on the portion of the track containing the TOC. The starting address and the speed profile for the piece in question are then transmitted via the data selection means 28 retrieved from the TOC. Instead, the contents of the TOC may also be read only once and stored in memory when the disc is inserted into the device. To play the piece, the drive means 21 rotate the record carrier at the speed indicated by the velocity profile. The required speed may be recorded as such in the speed profile for adjusting the drive means. Instead, the speed profile may also include a bit rate, and then the speed may be calculated from the radial position of the track, starting from the starting address, since the density parameters of the record carrier, such as track pitch and bit length, are predetermined and known to the player a standard. Thereafter, the speed may be derived from the bit rate and the said radial position.

To ensure continuous playback without buffer underflow or overflow, the transfer speed is linked to the playback speed of the D / A converter, ie the bitrate after compression. The apparatus may for this purpose have a reference frequency source to control the decompressor, and the speed may be adjusted in dependence on the reference frequency and the speed profile. The speed can also be determined using the average level of the buffer 29 be adjusted, for example by the speed is reduced when the buffer is more than 50% full on average.

3 shows a recording device for writing information on a carrier 11 of a type that is (re) writable. During writing, marks representing the information are formed on the record carrier. The markers may have any optically readable form, eg the shape of areas whose reflection coefficient differs from that of their surroundings, by recording in materials such as dye, alloy or phase change material, or areas with a direction of magnetization from that of their surroundings is different. The writing and reading of information for recording on optical disks and the applicable rules for formatting, error correction and channel coding are well known, for example from the CD system. Markers can be through a spot of light 23 formed on the recording layer by means of a beam 24 is generated by electromagnetic laser radiation. The recording device comprises similar basic elements as with reference to 2 have been described, ie, a control unit 20 , Drive means 21 and positioning means 25 , but she has another stylus 39 on. The audio information becomes the input of compression means 35 fed, which may be mounted in a separate housing. Suitable compression has been described in D2, D3 and D4. The variable bitrate compressed audio data at the output of the compression means 35 become a buffer 36 Posted. From the buffer 36 the data becomes combiners 37 sent to add padding data and other control data. The entire data stream becomes writing means 38 supplied for recording. The writing head 39 is from the writing materials 38 which may include a formulator, an error coder and a channel modulator. The data, the receipt of the writing medium 38 are fed, formatting and coding rules are distributed according to logical and physical sectors and a write signal for the write head 39 transformed. The control unit 20 is destined to the buffer 36 , the data combining means 37 and the writing means 38 via control lines 26 and perform the positioning operation as described above for the reader. The recorder may also facilitate reading by having the features of a player and a combined read / write head.

4 shows a file system for use in the invention, for which in principle several different options are feasible. Preferably, the storage medium should be based on the UDF or on the ISO 9660 file system. In an alternative case, there would be no file system and all relevant sector spaces would need to be kept free.

However, if a file system exists, all audio data is stored in audio files located in a subdirectory SCD_AUDIO. 4 shows the hierarchy that is on a ROOT file 50 is based on different subordinate files 52 . 54 . 56 . 67 shows. The structure of identical MASTER.TOCs (main TOCs) 52 will be explained below. Furthermore, a file is 2C_AUDIO 54 available. This points to mutually identical Area TOCs (Area TOCs) 2C_AREA1 / 2.TOC 58 . 59 , in parallel on different stereo tracks TRACKn.2CH 60 and also an area file (area file) 2C_TAREA.2CH 61 , Furthermore, a file is MC_AUDIO 56 available. This points to mutually identical TOCs (tables of contents) MC.TOC 62 . 63 , parallel to different multichannel tracks TRACKn.MCH 64 and also an area file (area file) MC_TAREA.MCH 65 , As a result, the tracks can be accessed either through the associated TOCs, or through a file system that has TOC and sub-TOCs as directories. The files 60 . 64 refer only to the audio information of the associated tracks, but the files 61 . 65 Likewise, they also indicate the pause intervals of the associated tracks, as discussed below with reference to FIG 6 is explained. Finally, the file element 67 display stored image information.

5 Fig. 10 shows an exemplary memory arrangement for use in the invention, which has been shown as a single series arrangement. Along the horizontal axis are the following elements. element 120 is a lead-in which is used to synchronize a reader and the drive of the medium. The file system 122 represents that in connection with 4 has been described. The Element Main TOC (Main Table of Contents) 124 can be configured according to standard procedures and belongs to the following elements stereo range 126 and the element multichannel audio 128 and, if necessary, also to the element additional data 130 , The lengths of these three areas need not be standardized because there may be several different amounts of information. As far as the audio areas are concerned, they include both the actual audio track areas and the associated SUB TOCs (sub-directories). Except for the description given below, the content of the elements 126 . 128 . 130 be defined according to conventional standards, which in themselves do not form part of the invention. In general, the two audio areas may have the same structure and contain the same types of information, except that they have different definitions for the different channels. The audio data can be simply encoded or lossless coded. All types of audio data may be multiplexed with supplemental data, such as CD-Text.

The element 130 represents ancillary data information, which may be defined in a conventional standard. The lead-out information 132 are used in particular for searches. Your tracks contain no information other than track numbers and addresses. The number of lead-out tracks can cover a ring about 0.5 to 1 millimeter wide. According to the above, the stored information can be accessed either through the file system included in the element 122 or about the TOC structure that is in the element 124 is fixed.

• 1. Eine aus 16 Bytes bestehende Signature (Signatur) identifiziert ein Haupt-TOC, wie etwa durch "SACD Master TOC". Die Signatur enthält drei Leerzeichen; die Apostrophe sind nicht Teil der Definition.
• 2. Eine aus 2 Bytes bestehende Spec_version (Versionsangabe) gibt die Versionsnummer des für die Platte verwendeten Formats an.
• 3. Ein aus 14 Bytes bestehender Space (Zwischenraum) wurde reserviert, wie etwa für Fülldaten zur Synchronisation.
• 4. Eine aus 4 Bytes bestehende ganzzahlige 2CH-start_address enthält die logische Adresse des ersten Sektors des Stereo-Bereiches.
• 5. Eine aus 4 Bytes bestehende ganzzahlige 2CH-end_address enthält die logische Adresse des letzten Sektors des Stereo-Bereiches.
• 6. Eine aus 4 Bytes bestehende ganzzahlige MC-start_address enthält die logische Adresse des ersten Sektors des Mehrkanal-Bereiches.
• 7. Eine aus 4 Bytes bestehende ganzzahlige MC-end_address enthält die logische Adresse des letzten Sektors des Mehrkanal-Bereiches.
• 8. Eine aus 4 Bytes bestehende ganzzahlige Extra_data_start_address enthält die logische Adresse des ersten Sektors des Zusatzdaten-Bereiches.
• 9. Eine aus 4 Bytes bestehende ganzzahlige Extra_data_end_address enthält die logische Adresse des letzten Sektors des Zusatzdaten-Bereiches.

The sole or any of the several major TOCs 124 begins at a respective uniformly standardized offset position from the beginning of the lead-in area, such as the byte number 500 for the first main TOC. In this embodiment, a main TOC includes only one sector of standard size and contains primarily pointers to the various sub-TOCs or area TOCs described below. A preferred syntax of the main TOC is as follows:

• 1. A 16 byte signature identifies a major TOC, such as "SACD Master TOC". The signature contains three spaces; the apostrophes are not part of the definition.
• 2. A 2-byte Spec_version indicates the version number of the format used for the disc.
• 3. A 14-byte space has been reserved, such as for synchronization fill data.
• 4. A 4-byte integer 2CH start_address contains the logical address of the first sector of the stereo range.
• 5. A 4-byte integer 2CH-end_address contains the logical address of the last sector of the stereo range.
• 6. An integer MC start_address consisting of 4 bytes contains the logical address of the first sector of the multichannel range.
• 7. An integer MC-end_address consisting of 4 bytes contains the logical address of the last sector of the multichannel range.
• 8. An integer extra_data_start_address consisting of 4 bytes contains the logical address of the first sector of the additional data area.
• 9. An integer extra_data_end_address consisting of 4 bytes contains the logical address of the last sector of the additional data area.

The information for the above total 56 bytes. Additional features can be added added to the main TOC become. If a certain area does not exist, have the associated Start and end addresses are zero.

• 1. Eine aus 16 Bytes bestehende Signature (Signatur) identifiziert das betreffende Unter-TOC, wie etwa durch "SACD Stereo-TOC" für einen Stereo-Audio-Bereich und "SACD MC TOC" für einen Mehrkanal-Audio-Bereich, wobei die Anzahl der Bytes erreicht wird, indem am Ende Leerzeichen hinzugefügt werden.
• 2. Eine aus 2 Bytes bestehende Spec_version (Versionsangabe) gibt die Versionsnummer des für die Platte verwendeten Formats an.
• 3. Eine aus 4 Bytes bestehende Sub_TOC_length (Unter-Inhaltsverzeichnis-Länge) gibt die Anzahl der in dem aktuellen TOC vorhandenen Bytes an.
• 4. Ein aus 10 Bytes bestehender Space (Zwischenraum) kann für Fülldaten zur Synchronisation reserviert werden.
• 5. Eine Menge von/* Disc Parameters */(Platten-Parameter) von variabler Größe kann angegeben werden, wie etwa ein Name eines Albums() und ein Name eines Katalogs().
• 6. Eine aus 4 Bytes bestehende disc_play_time (Platten-Abspielzeit) gibt die gesamte lineare Abspielzeit der Platte an, ausgedrückt als ein Zeitcode.
• 7. Ein aus 4 Bytes bestehender disc_name_pointer (Plattennamen-Zeiger) gibt den Offset (Versatz) in Bytes vom Anfang des betreffenden Unter-TOC bis zum Anfang des Feldes disc_name() (Plattenname) an. Falls dieser Wert 0 ist, zeigt dies an, dass das Feld disc_name() nicht vorhanden ist.
• 8. Ein aus 4 Bytes bestehender disc_date_pointer (Plattendatums-Zeiger) gibt den Offset in Bytes vom Anfang des betreffenden Unter-TOC bis zum Anfang des Feldes disc_date() (Plattendatum) an. Falls dieser Wert 0 ist, zeigt dies an, dass das Feld disc_date() nicht vorhanden ist.
• 9. Ein aus 4 Bytes bestehender dise_copyright_pointer (Platten-Copyright-Zeiger) gibt den Offset in Bytes vom Anfang des betreffenden Unter-TOC bis zum Anfang des Feldes disc_copyright() (Platten-Copyright) an. Dieser Wert kann 0 sein, was anzeigt, dass das Feld disc_copyright() nicht vorhanden ist.
• 10. Ein aus 4 Bytes bestehender dise_publisher_pointer (Platten-Herausgeber-Zeiger) gibt den Offset in Bytes vom Anfang des betreffenden Unter-TOC bis zum Anfang des Feldes disc_publisher() (Platten-Herausgeber) an. Dieser Wert kann 0 sein, was anzeigt, dass das Feld disc_publisher() nicht vorhanden ist.
• 11. Eine Track_List() von variabler Größe kann für jeden von mehreren Audiotracks Offset-Informationen bezüglich des betreffenden TOC enthalten, sowie verschiedene weitere Elemente, die für einen Hörer von Interesse sein können, wie etwa den Namen des Tracks. Eine Track_List_1 enthält:
• 12. Eine aus 8 Bytes bestehende Track_List_1_Signature, die den Sektor mit Track_List_1 identifiziert.
• 13. Eine aus 4 Bytes bestehende Track_Start_Address (tno) (Track-Anfangsadresse) für alle Audiotracks mit der Track-Nummer tno in dem aktuellen Audio-Bereich, welche die logische Adresse des ersten Sektors des Tracks enthält.
• 14. Eine aus 4 Bytes bestehende Track_length (tno) (Track-Länge) für alle Audiotracks mit der Track-Nummer tno in dem aktuellen Audio-Bereich, welche die Länge des Tracks in Sektoren enthält. Eine Track_List_2 enthält:
• 15. Eine aus 8 Bytes bestehende Track_List_2_Signature, die den Sektor mit Track_List_2 identifiziert.
• 16. Einen Track_Start_Time_Code (tno) für alle Audiotracks mit der Track-Nummer tno, welcher den Anfangs-Time_Code (Zeitcode) des Tracks angibt.
• 17. Eine Track_Time_Length (tno) für alle Audiotracks mit der Track-Nummer tno, welche die Abspielzeit des Tracks angibt.

After that contain the elements 126 and 128 Sub-TOCs or area TOCs for the stereo or multi-channel audio intervals. A preferred syntax of a sub-TOC is as follows:

• 1. A 16 byte signature identifies the subject sub-TOC, such as by "SACD Stereo TOC" for a stereo audio area and "SACD MC TOC" for a multi-channel audio area, where the Number of bytes is reached by adding spaces at the end.
• 2. A 2-byte Spec_version indicates the version number of the format used for the disc.
• 3. A 4-byte sub_TOC_length indicates the number of bytes present in the current TOC.
• 4. A space consisting of 10 bytes may be reserved for fill data for synchronization.
• 5. A set of / * Disc Parameters * / (disk parameters) of variable size can be specified, such as a name of an album () and a name of a catalog ().
• 6. A 4-byte disc_play_time indicates the total linear playback time of the disc, expressed as a time code.
• 7. A 4-byte disc_name_pointer indicates the offset in bytes from the beginning of the subject sub-TOC to the beginning of the disc_name () field (disc name). If this value is 0, it indicates that the disc_name () field does not exist.
• 8. A 4-byte disc_date_pointer indicates the offset in bytes from the beginning of the subject sub-TOC to the beginning of the disc_date () field (disc data). If this value is 0, it indicates that the disc_date () field does not exist.
• 9. A 4-byte dise_copyright_pointer (disk copyright pointer) indicates the offset in bytes from the beginning of the subject sub-TOC to the beginning of the disc_copyright () field (disk copyright). This value can be 0, indicating that the disc_copyright () field does not exist.
• 10. A 4-byte dise_publisher_pointer indicates the offset in bytes from the beginning of the subject sub-TOC to the beginning of the disc_publisher () field (disc publisher). This value can be 0, indicating that the disc_publisher () field does not exist.
• 11. A variable size Track_List () may contain for each of several audio tracks offset information relating to the subject TOC, as well as various other elements that may be of interest to a listener, such as the name of the track. A Track_List_1 contains:
• 12. An 8-byte Track_List_1_Signature that identifies the sector with Track_List_1.
• 13. A 4-byte Track_Start_Address (tno) (track start address) for all audio tracks with the track number tno in the current audio area containing the logical address of the first sector of the track.
• 14. A 4-byte track_length (tno) for all audio tracks with the track number tno in the current audio area, which contains the length of the track in sectors. A Track_List_2 contains:
• 15. An 8-byte Track_List_2_Signature that identifies the sector with Track_List_2.
• 16. A Track_Start_Time_Code (tno) for all audio tracks with the track number tno, which indicates the start Time_Code (time code) of the track.
• 17. A Track_Time_Length (tno) for all audio tracks with the track number tno indicating the playing time of the track.

6 shows a detailed track organization, especially with regard to the two categories of files 60 . 64 in comparison with 61 . 65 , In this example, the memory area contains four audio tracks 140 . 142 . 144 . 146 , Each track contains a set A of audio information whose length may vary. Furthermore, each pair of consecutive audio intervals is separated by a pause interval marked P. The lengths of the pauses were set by the developer of the record carrier and may have been chosen taking into account the specific nature of the previous track and / or the following track. The lengths may depend on various aspects, such as the particular volumes, beat frequencies, consistency or differences in character, composer and style, and may not be consistent for a particular wearer. A break of zero length is in principle feasible. The last track generally has no subsequent pause interval.

For each track A, the initial location length and other information are indicated in the area TOC of the audio area to which the track belongs. The memory area of tracks A and the pause intervals P, as in 6 through the double arrows 148 shown, contains a Time_Code (time code). The Time_Code begins at the beginning of the pause interval P at zero. The Time_Code will be until the end of the memory area 148 increments in 1/75 second increments. A unit of time of 1/75 second is called a frame. The Time_Code is coded in multiplexed frames. All tracks A and all pause intervals P in the memory area 148 are numbered consecutively, starting at one.

Now, to access only a single, separate track, such as editing on the computer or playing in any order, usually only the actual audio information is relevant. In such a situation, a rendition may waive the pauses or set them in an independent manner. As a result, the files show 60 . 64 in 4 solely on the audio parts of the associated tracks, taken alone. This was in 6 through the double arrows 148 shown, which extend exclusively over the audio parts. On the other hand, another mode of use is to play the sector sector by sector. This can in principle be done without any reference to any file system. However, the inventors have come to the conclusion that, for reasons of consistency, a file system would be suitable, but should not overlook pauses for aesthetic or other perceptual reasons. Therefore, the area as a whole, including the pauses, has been assigned a separate file, which is indicated by the additional indication 150 was symbolically represented and in the elements 61 . 65 in 4 is included. The associated area TOC then indicates the sizes of the pauses in question and where the next audio track begins. The above means that accessing the audio information is done directly, using either the track files or, alternatively, the comprehensive file and associated sub-TOCs.

List of related documents:

• (D1) Research Disclosure No. 36411, August 1994, p. 412-413.
• (D2) PCT / IB97 / 01156 (PHN 16.452), 1 bit ADC and lossless compression of audio
• (D3) PCT / IB97 / 01303 (PHN 16.405), Audio compressor
• (D4) EP-A 402,973 (PHN 13,241), audio compression
• (D5) J.J. van der Kam, "A digital decimating filter for analog-to-digital conversion of hi-fi audio signals ", Philips Techn. Rev. 42, No. 6/7, April 1986, pp. 230-8.
• (D6) Kirk C.H. Chao et al., "A higher order topology for interpolative modulators for oversampling A / D converters ", IEEE Tr. on Circuits and Systems, Vol. 37, No. 3, March 1990, pp. 309-18.

Text in the drawing

(Terms, which are not listed in the following list, remain unchanged.)

67

BILDER

Fig. 4

67

IMAGES

120

Lead-in

122

Dateisystem

124

Haupt-TOC

126

Stereo-Bereich

128

Mehrkanal-Bereich

130

Zusatzdaten-Bereich

132

Lead-out

Fig. 5

120

Lead-in

122

file system

124

Main-TOC

126

Stereo range

128

Multi-channel area

130

Additional data area

132

Lead-out

Claims (7)

Method for storing audio information on a disc-shaped storage medium ( 11 ) of optically readable type through a table of contents (TOC) mechanism, indicating an actual location of various audio tracks ( 140 . 142 . 144 . 146 ) on the medium ( 11 ) in which the table of contents (TOC) (2C_AREA1.TOC ...., MC_AREA1.TOC ...) is a list of entries (Track_List_1, Track_List_2) with a start time (Track_Start_Time_Code) and / or a start address (Track_Start_Address) each Audio tracks (tno), characterized in that in addition to the TOC mechanism, a multi-level file-based access mechanism is further assigned to the audio information comprising at a higher level audio files ( 54 . 56 ), which are assigned to a specific audio area ( 126 . 128 ) and files ( 58 ... 65 ) on a next lower level, which includes files ( 60 . 64 ) which separately point to areas where only the audio tracks (A) are located, one or more files ( 58 . 59 . 62 . 63 ), which point to areas where there are associated entries in the table of contents (TOC), and a comprehensive file ( 61 . 65 ), which points to the area where audio files (A) and inserted pause intervals (P) are located between the latter audio tracks (A). The method of claim 1, wherein the pause intervals Time information (time code) included at the beginning of the pause interval Start P at zero. The method of claim 2, further comprising the comprehensive files ( 61 . 65 ) separately with respect to two-channel audio or multi-channel audio. Disk-shaped storage medium ( 11 ) of the optically readable type, which audio information ( 140 . 142 . 144 . 146 ) and a Table of Content (TOC) (2C_AREA1.TOC ...., MC_AREA1.TOC ...) indicating an actual location of various audio tracks ( 140 . 142 . 144 . 146 ) on the medium ( 11 ), wherein the table of contents (TOC) comprises a list of entries (Track_List_1, Track_List_2) with a start time (Track_Start_Time_Code) and / or a start address (Track_Start_Address) of each audio track (tno), characterized in that the medium ( 11 ) is equipped with a multi-level file-based access mechanism to the audio information, which at a higher level comprises audio files ( 54 . 56 ), which are assigned to a specific audio area ( 126 . 128 ) and files ( 58 ... 65 ) on a next lower level, which includes files ( 60 . 64 ), which separately point to areas where only the audio tracks (A) are located, one or more files ( 58 . 59 . 62 . 63 ), which point to areas where there are associated entries in the table of contents (TOC), and a comprehensive file ( 61 . 65 ), which points to the area where audio files (A) and inserted pause intervals (P) are located between the latter audio tracks (A). plate-shaped The storage medium of claim 4, wherein the pause intervals include time information (Time code), which at the beginning of the pause interval P at start zero. Disk-shaped storage medium according to claim 5, comprising separate comprehensive files ( 61 . 65 ) with respect to two-channel audio or multi-channel audio. Reading device for reading information on a disc-shaped storage medium according to claim 4, comprising optical access means ( 22 . 25 ), Disk drive means ( 21 ) for driving the disk track along the optical access means ( 22 . 25 ) for reading a read signal from the disk, reading means ( 27 ) for processing the read signal and control means ( 20 ) for controlling the funds ( 21 . 22 . 25 . 27 ), characterized in that the control means ( 20 ) are provided to determine the sizes of the pauses (P) from the comprehensive file ( 61 . 65 ) and the associated entries in the table of contents (2C_AREA.TOC, MC_AREA.TOC).